Discerning the Work of God

Many people find a predictable life very comforting. Although boring at times, there is safety in routine. That mind set can become the most dangerous and damaging thought process we as Christ followers can embrace. Life, people, situations are constantly changing as the world changes around us. Mark Twain said, “Nobody likes change except a wet baby.” Change can be hard at times, very hard.

The business world is no exception to the rules of change. It’s like giving birth to an elephant, 22 months of gestation followed by lots of screaming and mess. This has been our experience in how webcasting drag racing events has been accepted. At first people had no idea what we could do or the impact it could have, so they opted to not be involved. As the days and months turned into years, we saw a gradual change in attitudes.

Over the last 3 years, the change has been exponential. This year is our watershed moment…our business will never ever be the same. Persistence in the vision the Lord gave me coupled with His hand in my life and business is all I can point to. Nothing more, nothing less.

The Lord puts things on our heart everyday. It’s our responsibility to embrace the call through discernment of the Spirit, then trust Him for His wisdom and guidance. If we can become change agents, there’s no telling the impact our actions can have with the Lord’s guidance and provision.

Blessings

Discerning the Work of God
by Os Hillman

“Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me.” – Nehemiah 6:14

Nehemiah set out to rebuild the wall at Jerusalem that had been destroyed. Nehemiah held a position in the Persian Empire that would be comparable to Chief of Staff in our government. Nehemiah wept over the destruction of the city wall and repented for the sins of his generation and the generations before him that had led to the fall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah responded to the news by seeking approval from his superior to take time off to rebuild the wall. Tobiah and Sanballat met Nehemiah’s action with resistance, as did Noadiah the prophetess and other prophets. These were the religious and political leaders of his day. They became distractions to his work and opposed him.

Whenever God does a new work, it is often met with resistance by those in the established religious community, and sometimes among those from whom we would expect support. Jesus met the same resistance when He began His public ministry. This same phenomenon happens today. When God begins a new work that cannot be easily explained based upon prior experiences, many make the mistake of assuming it not to be of God. The very people who should embrace and encourage the work become the source of skepticism and opposition. God tells us that His ways are not our ways. He does things in ways beyond our limited understanding.

Before you are tempted to criticize or oppose something that looks different from your past experience, ask God for wisdom and discernment. Examine why you might be tempted to oppose it. The Lord cannot be put in a box. He delights in doing things in ways that may not fit our former paradigms.